Cloudy Day Doesn't Disturb the Fish or the Fishing Derby

The article below was submitted by Tom Antonellis.

Last Saturday morning brought about 70 kids with their families to Mill Pond in Wayland for the Annual Wayland Youth Fishing Derby. For many years, the annual fishing derby has been organized and sponsored thanks to the efforts of Carpentry by Tom Antonellis; prior to that it was sponsored by the Wayland Kiwanis Club.

The fish don’t care if it rains; and one little guy was heard saying he didn’t either as he watched his fish being measured by Tom’s son, David.

Each year, the derby supports a different charity or non-profit as an example of how doing something nice for a local cause can also be fun.

For the second year, the concession proceeds from the event raised money and awareness on behalf of The Vernon Cancer Center at Newton Wellesley Hospital.

Elizabeth Flanagan, representing The Vernon Cancer Center was on hand to participate in the derby activities. Members of the Antonellis family continue to be patients at the Center and they know first hand of the quality care it provides for the community.

In preparation for the big day, Mill Pond was stocked with fish. Children through eighth grade were invited to bring their own gear and bait and try to catch a winning fish. At the derby, it’s not just the young fishers who are excited, as parents proudly watch the kids eagerly bring their catch to be measured. Many volunteers give their Saturday mornings to make sure every child enjoys a wonderful outdoor experience. Many of the staff from the local Village Bank came to help with the donuts, juice boxes and coffee. Other wonderful volunteers helped by selling the raffle tickets or giving assistance to the young anglers at the pond’s edge.

The children cast their lines into Mill Pond hoping to win one of a variety of prizes including prizes for the first fish of the day, largest and smallest fish of the day, and largest fish in each age group. Many children walked away with new fishing gear and free pizzas. One lucky family went home with a yummy Fishing Derby-themed cake from Beyond Bows and Custom Cakes of Framingham.

Prizes from area sponsors included gift certificates, fishing gear and gift savings accounts for the kids. Parents weren't left out as raffles for prizes such as manicures, gas cards, massages and a guardianship and legal safety package were given away.

The 2013 Wayland Youth Fishing Derby was made possible with the help and generous support of local businesses including Carpentry by Tom Antonellis, Dick's Sporting Goods, Wayland Variety and Deli, Wayland Nails And Spa, Liberty Pizza, The Village Bank, Whole Foods Market, Starbucks, Natick Outdoor Store, Jenna Carroll and the Carroll Group, The Law Office of Amy Antonellis, Wayland Recreation, Wayland Police, Harvey Building Products, National Amusements, Happy Feet Reflexology of Waltham, Middlesex Savings Bank, Tri-County Regional Technical Vocational High School, B.L. Ogilvie and Sons, Beyond Bow's - Custom Cakes, Subway, Frozen Yogurt Innovations, Donelan's, and Shep's Gas.